Coastal waters not a dump.

• Position: Maine - Brief Article

CLF-Maine has concluded that the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is failing to adequately protect the coastal marine environment--not to mention fish, shellfish resources, and the public health--from pollution. We've informed two notable polluters--the Freeport Sewer District and Eastport's Engelhard Corporation--of our intent to file "citizen suits" against them, as required by the Clean Water Act (CWA). Our hope is that this action will force the two into compliance with federal wastewater discharge permit limits, and force DEP into taking its CWA enforcement obligations more seriously.

Freeport has violated its permit for years, threatening public health, causing economic losses to fishermen, and contributing to the degradation of the Harraseeket River--once highly productive for clams, now closed to clam digging. In addition, Freeport is manipulating how it monitors bacterial counts in discharges to the river, with the intention of concealing other violations of its permit." This undermines the entire regulatory system envisioned by the CWA," says CLF attorney...